📅 Thursday 23 April 2026 · National Research Week · University of Mauritius Auditorium
National AI Strategy and Digital Transformation
Executive Summary · Speech by the Hon. Minister Avinash Ramtohul
Minister of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation
Minister of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation
🎙️ KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Hon. Minister Avinash Ramtohul
Ministry of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation
Executive Summary
The following briefing outlines the strategic trajectory of Mauritius's digital transformation and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the national economy and social framework. Central to this vision is the transition from a traditional Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model to a "PPP" model, which incorporates "People" as a critical fourth pillar. The government's stance is that AI adoption is a competitive necessity for individuals, corporations, and the nation at large to avoid being overtaken globally.
📌 Key takeaways
- Regulatory Shift: Mauritius has opted for a UK-style principles-based regulatory framework over the EU's stringent compliance model — governed by the FAIR principles (Fairness, Accountability, Inclusiveness/Integrity, Responsibility).
- Legislative Evolution: Significant updates to the Electronic Transactions Act and the Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Act to accommodate electronic customs documentation and define critical information infrastructure.
- Infrastructure and Security: Adoption of ISO 27001 as the standard for all government departments and establishment of a "Citizen Data Hub" as a single source of truth for national identity.
- Sectoral Impact: AI prioritized in biotech and healthcare (e-health) to save lives through faster diagnostics, raising critical questions regarding liability and "safety integrity levels".
Strategic Vision and the "PPP" Model
The current digital agenda is framed not merely as a technological upgrade but as a socioeconomic necessity. Since the beginning of the country's digitalization journey in 1977, the focus has shifted toward using technology to improve human life.
👥 The Fourth Pillar: People
While traditional models rely on Public-Private Partnerships, the current strategy adds a fourth feature: People. The objective is to ensure that AI adoption does not exacerbate the digital divide but instead strengthens society and socio-economic well-being. This approach has been developed with contributions from local universities (University of Mauritius, University of Technology) and the private sector.
⚡ Competitive Necessity
The briefing emphasizes that AI is no longer optional:
- Individuals: Risk being overtaken in personal and social spheres without AI literacy.
- Companies: Must utilize AI for operational efficiency to remain competitive.
- Countries: Must integrate AI into the economy to strengthen societal structures.
Regulatory and Ethical Frameworks
A primary area of ongoing research and policy development is the creation of a robust regulatory framework. The government has officially approved a principles-based approach, modeling its governance after the United Kingdom rather than the European Union's more stringent AI Act.
🌟 The FAIR Principles
Fairness
Ensuring unbiased outcomes and equitable access.
Ensuring unbiased outcomes and equitable access.
Accountability
Defining who is liable for AI-driven decisions.
Defining who is liable for AI-driven decisions.
Inclusiveness / Integrity
Ensuring integrity of algorithms and broad societal participation.
Ensuring integrity of algorithms and broad societal participation.
Responsibility
Ethical deployment and usage of technology.
Ethical deployment and usage of technology.
⚠️ Accountability and Liability
A significant challenge identified is the lack of defined liability in existing legislation. For example:
- Medical Field: If an AI agent misreads an ECG or provides false positive/negative leading to harm, accountability remains unclear (doctor, operator, manufacturer, or government).
- Autonomous Systems: Drones can be used for harm; civil aviation regulations amended (Jan 1, 2025) but responsibility for autonomous drone actions requires further legal definition.
- Deepfakes: While Section 46 of the ICT Act exists, convictions are few, leaving the public exposed as AI software becomes more adept at generating realistic deceptive content.
Legislative and Policy Updates
- Electronic Transactions Act: Recently amended to allow legal recognition of electronic documents between international customs authorities — removing the previous requirement for physical "bills of entry".
- Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Act: Upcoming updates will establish an agency to address cyber challenges, define "Critical Information Infrastructure", and mandate recognized certifications for cybersecurity auditors.
- AI Definition: Current legislation defines AI as a software module written by individuals. This is being reviewed to account for the reality that AI can now be AI‑generated.
National Infrastructure and Citizen Services
🏛️ Citizen Data Hub & E-Health
Citizen Data Hub: Moving away from fragmented databases, this will serve as the "single source of truth" for all citizens, linked to the central population database.
E-Health System: A pilot in the Eastern region (catchment area of 350,000 people) has already seen 107,000 citizens registered. Patient details are pulled directly from the central database via national ID cards.
E-Health System: A pilot in the Eastern region (catchment area of 350,000 people) has already seen 107,000 citizens registered. Patient details are pulled directly from the central database via national ID cards.
🔒 Cybersecurity and Standards
ISO 27001: As of January 26, 2026, the government adopted ISO 27001 as the standard for information security management. The goal is for every government department to be certified — five are already completed, with ten more targeted by the end of the year.
Safety Integrity Checks: There is a call for "safety integrity level" assessments for software used in sensitive fields like healthcare, where software decisions are a "matter of life and death".
Safety Integrity Checks: There is a call for "safety integrity level" assessments for software used in sensitive fields like healthcare, where software decisions are a "matter of life and death".
📡 Digital Tools and Connectivity
- Mobile Integration: Digital driving licenses are being introduced via legislative amendments.
- Connectivity: Government has enabled Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to allow companies like Starlink to operate, enhancing national connectivity.
- Transparency: An interministerial dashboard with KPIs allows ministers and the Prime Minister's Office to monitor IT project progress in real time.
Future Research and Ethical Considerations
- AI in Biotech: Using AI to construct cells for testing, potentially replacing animal testing in preclinical trials.
- Autonomous AI Socialization: Reference made to "MoltBot", a platform where AI agents socialized independently — highlighting the need to study future trajectories of autonomous AI behavior.
- Developer Ethics: Unlike doctors or engineers, software programmers are not currently required to take a professional oath. For sensitive applications, "empanelment" and ethical oaths for specialists may be necessary.
- Online Protection: Growing consensus on delaying social media access for children under 16. The government launched "AI for All" awareness campaigns to protect children from negative impacts of social media.
Conclusion
The transition to an AI-led economy is viewed as an opportunity for Mauritius to "leapfrog" in global digitalization rankings. By focusing on a principles-based regulatory environment and a unified data infrastructure, the nation aims to establish itself as a regional leader in AI.
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